Graham parade is one of many events in county seat

Times-News

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 29, 2012 at 9:21 AM

GRAHAM — The 52nd annual Graham Christmas Parade will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Graham. The parade will begin at North Main and West Parker streets and will travel throughout downtown Graham on Main Street; it will continue around the Court House, down South Main Street and will turn left on East McAden Street. Downtown streets will be closed starting at 8 a.m. Grand marshal is Joncy Martin, owner of Court Square Florist. Martin has served on the Alamance County War Memorial Association for 10 years and the Graham Board of Adjustments for four years. She is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW 1920, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Graham Chapter, and is a member of First United Methodist Church of Graham. She is married to Clutch Martin and has two sons. WPCM (920 AM) will broadcast the parade live with radio personality Byron Tucker and his wife, Delilah, from the parking lot at the Alamance County Arts Council (Captain White House), 213 S. Main St. More than 120 units will participate in the parade, including antique cars, trucks, tractors, church, school and scout groups, sports teams, area fire departments, civic clubs, dance groups and businesses. Eight area school bands also will participate. This will be the only Alamance County parade appearance by Ronald McDonald and the Big Red Shoe. Participants can be dropped off on Walker, Pomeroy, Marshall and Melville Streets. Only parade-entry vehicles will be allowed on Parker Street. No parking will be allowed along the parade route. The parade will disband behind Graham Middle School. The parade is presented by the Graham Area Business Association in cooperation with the City of Graham and Alamance County Rescue Squad along with Graham Police, Public Works, Fire and Recreation and Parks departments. Parade coordinators include Benny Brooks and Kyle Buckner. “We are one of the last parades in North Carolina run exclusively by volunteers. We are especially proud of that fact and the overwhelming support we receive from our community,” according to a press release issued by the Graham Area Business Association. The parade kicks off a series of events held in downtown Graham: • Folks also can lace up their skates at the second annual ice skating rink, “Fire & Ice,” located at the children’s museum, 217 S. Main St. Hours are 9 a.m. and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (336) 513-5510 or visit www.graham recreationandparks.com. • Following the parade, kids can take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Children’s Museum of Alamance County, 217 S. Main St. until 4 p.m. • “Arthur Christmas” will be shown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Graham Cinema, 119 N. Main St.; admission is free. • The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. at City Hall and a fireworks display will follow. For more information on the parade, call (336) 229-4225.